Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (May 2024)

Chronic Pancreatitis Pain Associated With Energy Drink Consumption: A Case Report

  • Chandler McMillan MD,
  • Justin Dower MD,
  • Ian Ikeda MD,
  • Elizabeth Marhoffer MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096241255806
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Chronic pancreatitis is commonly associated with heavy alcohol use and cigarette smoking, though many cases of chronic pancreatitis are idiopathic. Energy drink consumption has been on the rise over the last decade, with an adverse health risk profile including gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia, reflux, and gastritis. There have been several case reports linking energy drink consumption to presentations of acute pancreatitis in adult patients. To our knowledge, the association between energy drinks and episodes of chronic pancreatitis flares has not been well studied. This article explores a case of chronic pancreatitis pain related to excessive energy drink consumption in an adult male patient. This study aims to shed light on energy drinks as a potential etiology of chronic pancreatitis flares, and emphasizes the importance of counseling patients on the potential risks of excessive energy drink consumption.